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Sunday, July 28, 2013

life is a gift

Life is disappointing. Painfully mind-numbingly disappointing. Over and over again. We protect ourselves and try not to get too disappointed, but it never works.

And so we keep feeling. And feeling. And feeling and feeling and feeling...Much much too much sometimes. Because it's worth it. Because we have to. Because that's what it means to be alive. And because not feeling is much worse than being dead.

Just one short week.

And in that period of time, we were on the front page of The Fresno Bee.

And today I cleaned my toilets, because it's Sunday and that's what I do on Sunday. I'm just a regular every day girl.

In addition to Life being disappointing, it is also amazing. You have moments when you laugh so hard that your lungs are fiery as you fight for air, your eyes leak the most joyous of tears, and your stomach muscles are burning in some strange combination of joy and pain... and for a moment in time, everything just makes so much sense without you having to think about anything at all.

Friday night Frank came to dinner.

One month to the day after I wrote a letter to him for his outstanding act of kindness. A letter I never ever thought he would read. I was afraid to send it to his supervisor because I didn't want him to get in trouble for letting Greyson sit in his truck. I finally just sent it and believed that he wouldn't get in trouble because good would win. It was so wonderful to have Frank and his beautiful wife Sarah over. The last few times Frank and I have seen each other we have been on camera and our conversations were mostly just whispers.

I'm so nervous.

Me too.

I had so many questions for Frank. How are you able to see the trash can to grab it with the prong do-hickey? Are there any Garbage Girls? What time do you get up in the morning? (3AM!!!) Friday we had our own little viewing party. We watched over and over again. We laughed and analyzed and discussed it all. Frank isn't on Facebook, so I showed him our Facebook page and read him all the amazing comments about him...

And Michael read a comment that had us all on the floor crying and laughing at the same time.

I hope Greyson has lots of Franks in his life

And what a kind comment, and I know what they meant, but we just couldn't stop laughing. And I don't know why it was so incredibly funny, but it was. Maybe it was due to a couple of margaritas. Maybe because Greyson really really loves hot dogs, so his life is already filled with franks.

And all weekend long I would think about the comment and just start laughing.Early this morning we left to go on an adventure to Cambria, a seaside village in between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It was more rocky than sandy. Parker loved it.Greyson didn't like it so much.He only lasted a few minutes on the beach. Luckily there was a playground right outside the beach entrance... but unluckily we drove a total of 6 hours to go to a playground.But they were happy and I got to breath in the ocean air. Worth it.

It's said that sometimes God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes I think he works in straight up in your face, beat you over the head ways and we are just too distracted to notice.

I know it's Monday, but let's try extra hard to notice. This is your Life. It's a gift. You are a gift. Do good things. Embrace that people are good and they want to do good things too. Ignore everyone else.

It's Garbage Man appreciation week. Okay- I made that up- but feel free to act on it. Like Mom'ing- Being a Garbage Man is a profession usually free of Thanks. Wave at every garbage truck you see. Bring your garbage man a cold water or some cookies. Always remember, a single act of kindness can change the world. I've seen it happen.So much Love,ChrissyLike Life with Greyson + Parker on Facebook

9 comments:

Absolutely love your blog! I'm a BCBA and PhD graduate student in Southern Illinois right now, but originally from Fresno. It was so great to see you, your family, and Frank in the news this past. Your encouragement and strength as a mom and advocate within the autism community reassures of the importance for what I do and want to accomplish for families with people with autism and other disabilities. : )

"This is your Life. It's a gift. You are a gift. Do good things. Embrace that people are good and they want to do good things too. Ignore everyone else."Your beautiful words are often a mantra for my day and today is no different. Love this, love your blog!

Thank you for this morning conversation...was feeling blah, in a hurry, came to your blog, feeling light and redirected, thanks, just what was needed. From a friend in the deep South! I'm finding that mostly what anyone wants is a little attention. All it takes is a smile, so easy. I'm doing it today. I'm going to give my biggest smiles to the grumpy people.

What an amazing week you have had! :) I couldn't agree more that Life is A Gift. It is amazing - even when it's not, it is. Loving your words & pictures this chilly midwestern Monday morning.Happiness & love to you, sweet Momma. Jennifer

Thanks so much for posting all of this! My daughter is 12 and though has not been diagnosed with Autism (because my husband doesnt want to label her) has shown signs and been in therapies since birth! I'm glad to know there is someone out there that faces the same issues I do and is surviving :) I get tired of people saying : "But she looks so normal!" Sometimes I think people are more forgiving of something if it looks abnormal in some way. I have been blessed with many "Franks" in my life too...thanks for the reminder!Wednesday is not too far away!

I'm fairly new to your blog but I love your blog already. You know why???? Because you are so down-to-earth as a mom, a writer, a world changer! I adopted a little girl almost 18 years ago and she was eventually diagnosed with autism and RSS. After a few years I adopted a little boy...he was recently diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder with Fear of Harm, and an Anxiety Disorder, Along came another little boy who needed a home and once again A diagnosis of Bi-Polar Disorder. Most people would quit by now but I figured I was in pretty deep might as well keep going...and I did. The next two sister and brother came with PTSD and Anxiety Disorders and my last adoption was a little boy who has Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). Each one has been a blessing even during the difficult times. Add all these children to two dogs and two birth children and...well you can imagine! I'll pop in again soon...someone NEEDS mommy right now!!

The house wasn't on fire and no one was covered in blood so life's still good! No matter what the challenges our children sweet children have in life we still love them. We try to give them the best of their little world and encourage them to grow in hopes that they can share a bit of our world. Chrissy, you are very fortunate that you have access to ABA and other newer innovative teaching/speech programs. My Hannah is now 21yo and although she talks some she is still difficult at times to understand. People think I'm just a bit crazy to have what they call 'special' children and I have to remind them that all children are special. Thanks for blogging about your two boys and your life...finally I can say...WOW, this lady knows about autism...she's been there and is there still! And yes, there has been a few 'franks' in our lives and they help to make it all worthwhile!!!